“Seen Around” – By Gill Smallwood
Electro 80’s
While you’re out and about this summer keep your eyes open for the latest BIG thing to hit clubland – ELECTRO 80’s.
When Davey (Some Respect) phoned me up last year he told me he was putting together a new show along with Phil and Ben and when it was ready would I come and have a look, I was intrigued. I have been enjoying Dave’s performances since I started writing for the magazine.
Well last month he phoned again to say the new show was appearing at Rainhill Ex-Services, so not having been to the club for a while, down I went to take in this masterpiece that has been nearly twelve months in the making. After watching the show I can only comment that it does what it says on the label. The computerised light show – run from a laptop on stage was stunning, lots of exciting combinations and mood changes, very impressive, and as for the music, well I was on a nostalgia trip back to the many school discos I attended. If you can remember dancing to bands such as Erasure, OMD, Kraftwerk, Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Devo, Visage, Depeche Mode and Spandau Ballet then this is the band for you. The trio have worked hard to re-create the electronic synthetic sound that dominated the 1980’s.
Admittedly this show won’t be everybody’s cup of tea, being such a specialised area but even if you are not a fan of the 80’s music have a look and marvel at the craftsmanship that has gone into every song, from beginning to end the attention to detail is to be marvelled at. Davey always was a perfectionist and even on the night he humbly admitted to me that it wasn’t good enough in his eyes. It was good enough for me and I’ve seen some fantastic acts in clubland.
Boot and Shoe Music Festival, Nantwich Cheshire.
Firstly, albeit a little late, a massive thankyou for playing here over the bank holiday weekend. You have been the talk of the town, and everybody wants you back - me included. I hope you enjoyed yourselves too. I will be in touch - hopefully we can do it all again next year (and perhaps play a little bit later into the night)
Thanks again - you were brilliant!
From Sam Armstrong NWC
What an absolutely top night was had by all down at Blackbrook last night!!! Electro80's were absolutely stunning both musically and visually and if you are looking for a group to really make the night go down with a bang then I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Many of the songs they sang and played I had been lucky enough during the 80's to hear the original artists perform "live" and I have to say the originals were not a patch on the versions played by the group last night. Well done guys!!
I am not sure how much was made on the night but I hope the hard work put in by the organisers reaped it's justified rewards.
Thank you Blackbrook for a great night!!!
Buzby's Bar, St. Helens, Merseyside.
I had the pleasure of being compere for Electro80s on Sunday 18th November 07. at Buzbys Afternoon session
what an act, as i said on stage in front of a packed house "Electro 80s are probably THE best 80s trib act in St Helens if not THE North west". with a crystal clear PA sound unlike any iv heard. awsome vocals from Blue & Green and superb musicianship from Red the whole set. great guitar riffs by Green as well. altogether a fantastic show. This packed house really appreciated the effort that has obviously gone into this show and showed this by demanding at least three encores. stunning sound, Vocals and a brilliant light show are guaranteed to keep these guys very busy. Well done guys. oh, and not forgetting the two roadies who do a lot of work behind the scenes before and after a show, well done lads.
Sue Coolie - Entertainments Manager Buzbys. John Coolie - Compere.
Pete Steer - tenek
I had the pleasure of catching Electro 80's back in September at Windle Labour Club in St Helens. As a huge fan of early 80's electronica and a pro musician for many years I can be very critical of tribute bands who do not make the effort to really get the sounds right but Electro 80's score top marks for me ! I was very impressed with the slick stage performance, the choice of songs and the sound quality was excellent as was the lighting.
I think my quote on the night was : "If there's a better 80's band in the UK than Electro 80's I would like to see them come forward !!"
My only criticism is that the band are too far away and I have to travel over 250 miles to see them ! Am hoping to catch the band a few times in 2008 and will recommend them to anyone as it's a top night out if you love the music of Gary Numan, Ultravox. Human League, Depeche Mode, OMD, Soft Cell etc
Electro 80's - We salute you !!
Pete Steer - tenek & Alien 6 Productions
